Battery? Starter? Solenoid?

[tRidiot]

Battery could have a dead cell in it. Depending on the internal temps at times it may have enough amps to crank and then others maybe not. Otherwise the only other thing I could think of would be the solenoid which if this is like any other Ford would possible be externally mounted.

I think if a cell were dead, he wouldn't be reading 12.7V.

 

[HMFIC]

sounds like cables or terminals. do the lights dim when the car is chugging trying to start?

http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm

This voltage test looks to be what I need to attempt doing at the starter to make sure the starter is actually getting the juice like pumpkin said I think. So if I try that and my starter is getting the voltage then I can be pretty sure IT's the problem right? If it's NOT getting good voltage then I have a wiring issue in between, right?

Sol, you're just dying to bring that tester over (there might be some free stuff in it for ya too). I'll give you a yell sometime in the morning after I've had my coffee.

 

[HiredHand]

If you have to replace the starter or solenoid I would take it to Auto Battery and Electric to have them rebuild the starter.

 

[HMFIC]

I've got a Taurus in that range, we replaced the starter twice. Almost the exact same story you're reporting.

I'll put an Andrew Jackson you end up replacing the starter.

It's where I'm leaning... looks like I'll know for sure with the tests you guys have armed me with here and possibly Sol's gizmo.

Why did you have to do it twice? Is there something I can learn from that too?

 

[HMFIC]

If you have to replace the starter or solenoid I would take it to Auto Battery and Electric to have them rebuild the starter.

Duley noted. Are they cheaper or better or both? How long do they take?

 

[tRidiot]

It's where I'm leaning... looks like I'll know for sure with the tests you guys have armed me with here and possibly Sol's gizmo.

Why did you have to do it twice? Is there something I can learn from that too?

Rebuilt one went bad a few months later, I think. Luckily, the mechanic we used was a stand-up guy and replaced it for us for cost only, about $60 I think. We did have the same intermittent no-click, no-start you're describing and I replaced the battery in the middle of it all.

 

[KOPBET]

Damn Nippondenso gear reduction starters. Contactors wear out. It will only get worse.

Some repair shops will replace the contacts, others just the starter. Get out your checkbook for the starter.

 

[HiredHand]

Duley noted. Are they cheaper or better or both? How long do they take?

They do good work. Cost just depends on what needs to be replaced. I don't trust most of the Auto parts store "rebuilt" junk anymore.

 

[HMFIC]

Damn Nippondenso gear reduction starters. Contactors wear out. It will only get worse.

Some repair shops will replace the contacts, others just the starter. Get out your checkbook for the starter.

if the tsunami effected them, we'll probably will be getting MUCH worse...

 

[HiredHand]

Damn Nippondenso gear reduction starters. Contactors wear out. It will only get worse.

Some repair shops will replace the contacts, others just the starter. Get out your checkbook for the starter.

I hear that. The contacts aren't very expensive and I've purchased them locally before. I think the contacts are th biggest reason those Nippodenso stop cranking.